White House defends Trump comment to let Iran ‘take out’ LA and San Diego

According to the White House, however, Trump was saying that American cities would have been threatened by Iran had he not launched a war there earlier this year.

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the comment - made by Trump at a campaign rally in Nebraska - as "deranged and dangerous," while LA Mayor Karen Bass described it as a threat and an attempt to "encourage attacks on American lives".

Trump and Newsom met when the president ed California in January after the state was hit by wildfires This is not the first time the US president and California governor, who may run for president in 2028, have publicly clashed.